Lawmakers should respect public perception of lobbyist wining, dining

Eric Burlison

They say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach - but we doubt that many legislators' hearts will change after a lobbyist-paid lunch.

Sunday, the News-Leader's Jefferson City reporter Jonathan Shorman revealed that most of the Springfield-area state legislators have eaten those meals, based on reports released by the Missouri Ethics Commission. Representing such diverse interests as Bristol-Myers Squibb and Missouri State University, lobbyists have taken lawmakers to restaurants, spending from $10 to $95 on food and drink while bending their ears about clients' concerns.

Lawmakers, however, might keep in mind that eating on the lobbyist dole - especially while decrying citizens who need public assistance to eat - may not sit well with their constituents.

A recent unscientific poll on the News-Leader Opinion Page revealed that more than 95 percent of respondents believe that legislators should not accept gifts from lobbyists.

Those results reflect the conclusions of Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield, who does not take any gifts, even meals, from lobbyists. Burlison doesn't believe anyone's votes are based on a meal, but "public perception tends to think it doesn't look good."

In addition, MSU political science professor George Connor pointed out that sitting down with lobbyists - mostly likely over a meal - is a good way for part-time, understaffed legislators to get the information they need on issues on which they will have to vote.

We agree, especially considering that many of the meal-buying lobbyists represent area cities, chambers of commerce, schools and businesses. We want those lobbyists to have access to legislators, even if it is over a steak.

However, we also believe that public perception must be respected. Accepting concert tickets or entry to a basketball game looks like a legislator is taking advantage of his or her position rather than finding the best way to learn about a legislative issue.

It is also disturbing to note that, while lobbyists are required to report expenditures on legislators, gifts to family members and campaign contributions do not have to be reported.

What the legislature has apparently not bothered to learn - through lobbyist-paid meals or otherwise - is how to tackle ethics reform, including limits on campaign contributions.

Perhaps citizens who would like to see that happen need to buy their lawmaker a cup of coffee.

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Lawmakers should respect public perception of lobbyist wining, dining

They say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach ? but we doubt that many legislators' hearts will change after a lobbyist-paid lunch.